1. 2018 track & field rules changes and season information
Edward Thompson, MAA—Director of Athletics
Florida High School Athletic Association Phone: (352) Ext. 390

2. CONTACT INFORMATION
Edward Thompson, MAA—Director of Athletics
Track & Field Administrator
Phone: (352) ext. 390
*Call or if you have questions, concerns, or new ideas.

3. GOVERNANCE
FHSAA member schools participating in track & field operate under the rules established by the National Federation and FHSAA.
The 2017 Rule Book is available to all member school head coaches. Contact your athletic director for help in acquiring the new eBook via the NFHS Rules App.

4. GOVERNANCE
SECTION/ROLE
REPRESENTATIVE NAME
SCHOOL
ADDRESS
TERM EXPIRATION
Section 1 Boys
Gary Droze
Maclay School
June 30, 2018
Section 1 Girls
Jamie LaFollette
Niceville
June 30, 2020
Section 2 Boys
David Frank
Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
Section 2 Girls
Kristin McWilliams
Winter Park High School
Section 3 Boys
Kyle LoJacono
Wharton (Tampa)
Section 3 Girls
Dale Meskimen
George Jenkins (Lakeland)
Section 4 Boys
Paul Baur
Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale)
Section 4 Girls
Scott Sherrod
Calvary Christian Academy
FACA Representative
Dan Dearing
Bolles (Jacksonville)
* An advisory committee exists solely for the purpose of evaluating the FHSAA program(s) with which it is charged. In achieving its purpose, the committee shall review FHSAA regulations which govern the program(s); offer to the Board of Directors recommendations for change to such regulations as it deems appropriate; and offer advice and guidance to the Board of Directors and staff.
**Next Meeting is May 21, 2018

5. TRACK & FIELD OFFICIALS ASSOCIATIONS
Association Name
Geographic Area
Contact Information
Bay Area Youth Track & Field
Tampa Bay Area Counties
Booking Commissioner: LeRoy Funderburk
Commissioner Phone: (727)
Commissioner
Website:
Bob Hayes Track & Field Officials
Jacksonville Area Counties
President: John Corker
Booking Commissioner: John I Corker
Commissioner Phone: (904)
Commissioner
Website:
Broward County Track & Field Officials
Broward County
Booking Commissioner: Ericka Baker
Commissioner Phone: (786)
Commissioner
Website:
Central Florida Track Officials Association
Alachua, Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Orange, Osceola, Brevard, and Seminole Counties
President: Patricia Turner
President Phone: (407)
Booking Commissioner: Lionel Bonck
Commissioner Phone: (407)
Commissioner
Greater Miami Athletic Conference
Miami-Dade County
President: Dung Nquyen
Booking Commissioner: Debra Davis
Commissioner Phone: (305)
Commissioner
Website:
Panhandle Track & Field Officials Association
Tallahassee to Pensacola
Booking Commissioner: William Gilmore
Commissioner Phone: (850)
Commissioner
Treasure Coast Officials Association
Indian River to Palm Beach Counties

6. 2018 Important Dates Event Date District Planning Meetings
December 4-8, 2017
First Practice Date
January 22, 2018
Preseason Classic Meets
February 5-10, 2018
First Regular Season Meets
February 12, 2018
State Entry List (SEL) Due
April 2, 2018
Last Regular Season Contest
April 7, 2018
District Meets (Dates will rotate in following years)
1A – April 9-10, 2018
2A – April 11-12, 2018
3A – April 13-14, 2018
4A – April 16-17, 2018
Regional Meets
1A/2A – Wednesday, April 25, 2018
3A/4A – Thursday, April 26, 2018
State Championships
May 4-5, 2018
Please make note of these important dates in planning your season. These dates are published annually prior to the start of the season.

7. 2018 REGIONAL MEETS CLASS REGION DATE DAY HOST SCHOOL SITE 1A/2A 1
4/25/2018
Wednesday
TBA 2 3 4
3A/4A
4/26/2018
Thursday
* Regional Meet event schedules are determined by FHSAA with site-specific considerations given to the host school.

8. 2018 Florida High School Track & Field State Championships
May 4-5, 2018 The University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL

9. 2018 NFHS Rules Changes
The following slides are the rules changes for from the National Federation.

10. 4-3-1, 4-3-1b, 4-3-1c - Uniforms
Clarifies that for a track and field as well as cross country uniform to be considered legal, the singlet and bottom or one-piece uniform shall be school-issued or school-approved. This change for school approval addresses the need for athletes to purchase a part of their uniform, but such individual apparel shall be approved by the school coach to be certain it meets all rule requirements.
Rationale: Clarifies that the school may issue or approve an individually purchased item as part of the official school uniform.

11. PENALTY (NEW), ,
Several prohibitions regarding competitors’ actions were included but had no associated penalty should the rule not be followed which created confusion for enforcement. The appropriate penalty of disqualification from the event has been added.
Rationale: This rule was absent the necessary penalty.

12. 6-5-11 – Pole Vault Crossbars
The requirements for the length of the pole vault crossbar has become more flexible as it can now be within a range in length like the high jump.
Rationale: Creates consistency in establishing a range for the length of the crossbar in pole vault. Provides flexibility in the length of the crossbar, like the high jump crossbar.

13. 8-6-1 (NEW), 4-3 – Uniforms Clarification
Duplicate language regarding the uniform has been removed from Rule 8, Cross Country, and all rules regarding the uniform for individuals, relay team members and cross country teams are now all contained in one rule, Rule 4.
Rationale: Eliminates duplicate language. These two rules are identical except for the rule on the soles of the shoes allowing for one-inch spikes in cross country.

14. 2018 NFHS Points of Emphasis
In 2017, expect all officials to be paying particular attention to these items as the season progresses.

15. Providing Fluids to Competitors at Cross Country Competitions

16. Entry Limits for Individual Contestant (NFHS Rule 4)
CONTESTANTS MAY OFFICIALLY ENTER:
Four Individual Events
No relays allowed.
Three Individual Events
May be listed on any number of relays but compete in only one relay.
Two Individual Events
May be listed on any number of relays but compete in only two relays.
One Individual Event
May be listed on any number of relays but compete in only three relays.
Zero Individual Events
May be listed on any number of relays but compete in only four relays.

17. Officials Safety and Recommendations in the Long Throws
Using common sense, being vigilant, and attentive to the conditions during the warm-up and competition, and controlling the flow and pace of competition, any throwing event may be conducted safely.
Venue inspection
Monitoring warm-ups
Crew review of the competition and emphasizing the importance of being alert during all phases of the competition.
All eyes on the competitor by officials, coaches, and spectators

18. 2018 FHSAA Rules Changes

19. Metric System
All field events will be administered using the metric system.
All measurements of height or distance may be made with a steel tape, fiberglass tape, bar or electronic measuring device.

20. Metric System
FHSAA requires the use of the metric system at all meets for all events.

21. Metric System
When measuring the throwing events or horizontal jumps, that part of the tape that records distance shall be read and announced by the official at the circle, foul line or takeoff board. The tape should be pulled through the center of the throwing circle, the radius of the throwing arc, or from a position one meter behind the takeoff board. It is mandatory to measure every non-foul trial.

22. Metric System
In the Pole Vault and High Jump, measurement of the official height shall be from a point on the same level as the takeoff to the lowest point on the upper side of the crossbar. Efforts judged to be foul shall not be measured. An accurate measurement of the height of the high jump or pole vault crossbar shall be taken each time it is placed at a new height; each time a new crossbar replaces a broken one; and each time a standard(s) has been displaced.

23. Metric System
High Jump
Pole Vault
FHSAA recommends that the crossbar be initially raised in increments of 5 centimeters (~2 inches). The increment shall never be increased. The crossbar shall not be lowered and the increment shall never be less than 3 centimeters.
FHSAA recommends that the crossbar be initially raised in increments of 15 centimeters (~6 inches). The increment shall never be increased and shall never be less than 5 centimeters (~2 inches).

24. Metric System
Recording Performances
Performances on a scorecard shall be a distance or an ‘O’ for a successful trial, an ‘X’ for any type of foul/failure or a dash (-) to indicate a pass.
Metrics is the system of measurement. Distances measured shall be recorded to the nearest lesser centimeter (that is, fractions less than one centimeter must be ignored).
Performances shall be announced in metric measure. The display shall be metric measure.
For state championships records, marks must be measured and recorded metrically.

25. (g) - Squads
(1) Scratched Contestant. A contestant who is entered into an event in the FHSAA State Track & Field Series on any level and is later scratched from that event after the start of the district meet  will be disqualified from participating in all remaining events in the meet. No additions may be made after the entry deadline. 

26. (g) - Squads
(2) Substitutions. No substitution may be made for any individual in any event, other than relay events, who qualifies to participate in an event but is unable to compete. This applies to individuals who qualify from the district meet to the regional meet and from the regional meet to the Florida High School State Championship Series, and between the prelims and the finals on any level.

27. 4.14.2.3.1(g) – Squads (Relay Cards No Longer Required)
(3) Relay Personnel. Up to 8 contestants/competitors shall be declared eligible to compete on any relay when district entries are due. The pool of 8 contestants/competitors will remain intact throughout the state series and may not change. Rules pertaining to individual event limitations per athlete remain in effect. Relay personnel may be changed between the district and regional meets, between the regional meet and the Florida High School State Championship Series. Relay personnel may be changed between the prelims and finals on any level as long as such change is made in compliance with procedures established by the meet director or games committee FHSAA. Changes between prelims and finals are limited to the contestants/competitors listed on the relay card in the relay event for the duration of the meet once the relay card has been submitted to the Clerk of the Course. Changes between prelims and finals are limited to the 8 contestants/competitors listed on the relay team pool declared prior to the district meet. Once relay personnel report to the Clerk of the Course for a race, no change in personnel for that race is permissible. 

28. 4.14.2.3.4(e)(1) – Florida High School State Championship Finals
Preliminaries consisting of two three heats each will be run in the following events: 100M Hurdles, 110M High Hurdles, 100M Dash, 4x100M Relay, 400M Dash, 300M Hurdles, and 200M Dash, and 4x400m Relay.    

29. At-Large Bids to the State Championship Finals Added
The top-4 automatic qualifiers from regional championships are retained for all events.
The next 8 best marks in each class not automatically qualifying by place at the regional championship in each event will qualify for the state championship meet. These qualifiers will be known as “at- large bids.”
The at-large qualifying bids are not subject to appeal for any reason.

30. At-Large Bids to the State Championship Finals Added
Ties for the last qualifying mark shall be broken using the appropriate NFHS tie-breaking procedure.
If the tie cannot be broken, then all those tied that would lead to more than eight (8) at large bids will not advance and there will be less than eight (8) at large bids given in that particular vertical jumping event.

31. At-Large Bids to the State Championship Finals Added
For sprint events, only marks run in the final round of competition at the regional championship shall be considered for advancement purposes.

32. How do At-Large Bids Affect Regional Meets?
Regional Championship Format (Across All Regions) to be Standardized
1 day – Double Regions
1A/2A - 4/25/2018
3A/4A - 4/26/2018
Same event schedule/order
FHSAA Officials at every event (Meet Referee selected by FHSAA)
FHSAA – approved timing/scoring providers
Meet expenses may be shared among participating schools (Meet fees)

33. 2018 FHSAA Editorial Changes

34. Events list moved to
RUNNING EVENTS: All Florida High School State Championship Series meets will be limited to the following running events:
Girls – 4x800m relay, 100m high hurdles, 100m dash, 1600m run, 4x100m relay, 400m dash, 300m low hurdles, 800m run, 800m wheelchair race, 200m dash 200m wheelchair race, 3200m run, 4x400m relay;
Boys – 4x800m relay, 110m high hurdles, 100m dash, 1600m run, 4x100m relay, 400m dash, 300m intermediate hurdles, 800m run, 800m wheelchair race, 200m dash, 200m wheelchair race, 3200m run, 4x400m relay.
The 4x800m relay must be run during field event competition.
Girls and boys track and field meets will be held concurrently. Girls running events must precede boys running events and must be run alternately.
FIELD EVENTS: All Florida High School State Championship Series meets will be limited to the following field events:
Girls – pole vault, shot put, wheelchair shot put class 1, wheelchair shot put class 2, high jump, long jump, triple jump, discus.
Boys – discus, long jump, triple jump, shot put, wheelchair shot put class 1, wheelchair shot put class 2, pole vault and high jump. 

35. ACCESSING RULES PUBLICATIONS

36. NFHS Rules Books
How does a member gain access to the complimentary editions of the rules books via the app?  Follow these steps:
Download the App from the Apple iTunes or Google Play store.
Open the NFHS Rules App. At the bottom of the screen, select “Signup”. Enter your name and profile information: Note: The address MUST match the address on your NFHS and/or state office account. See your Athletic Director for more information on your registered address.
Once registered with your account, within the app go to the "My Books" section.  Here you will see a download icon for books assigned to you. All other books will show a shopping cart to subscribe to the book for $6.99.

37. FHSAA Handbook, Sport Manual, and Officials Guidebook
FHSAA Track & Field Manual
FHSAA Officials Guidebook

38. 2018 FHSAA Points of Emphasis

39. Season Limitations and Minimum Number of Contests
School Contest Limitations
Athlete Minimum to Compete in the State Series
Policy (c)
13 Regular Season Meets
1 Preseason Classic
Policy Individuals must compete in 5 regular season meets to be eligible for the State Series.

40. Preseason Classics Policy 7.1.1
Sanctioning
Sanctioning Process
Policy 7.1.1
All preseason meets require FHSAA sanctioning.
All meets (anytime) sponsored/hosted by third parties require sanctioning.
Policy Any athletic event hosted by an FHSAA member senior high school requiring sanction approval, as defined in Policy 7.1, must be registered with FHSAA utilizing the official Association process as approved by the Executive Director and approved by the FHSAA Office. The member school hosting the event is responsible for making application for approval on the forms entitled “Application for Approval of Athletic Event”: Form AT2.

41. Clarification on Undergarments
Top (NFHS Rule 4-3-1b)
Bottom (NFHS Rule 4-3-1c)
Any visible garment(s) worn underneath the uniform top must be unadorned and of a single solid color.
Visible items work under both the top and the bottom do not have to be same color.
NOTE: Any visible garment worn under the uniform top displaying contrasting stitching to the single, solid color of the undergarment and functions as the actual seam for the undergarment’s construction is legal.
A female competitor’s sports bra is not considered an undergarment. DON’T GO THERE!
Any visible garment(s) worn underneath the uniform bottom and extending below the knees shall be unadorned and of a single, solid color.
NOTE: Any visible garment worn under the uniform bottom and extending below the knees displaying contrasting stitching to the single, solid color of the undergarment and functions as the actual seam for the undergarment’s construction is legal.

42. Clarification on Undergarments
Relay Restrictions (NFHS Rule 4-3-2b)
Any visible garment(s) worn by two or more relay team members underneath the uniform top and/or underneath the uniform bottom, extending below the knees, shall be unadorned and of the same single, solid color, but not necessarily the same length.

43. Appropriate Uniforms
The examples below are considered illegal for at least three reasons:
Multiple references to the manufacturer on the waist band.
These are undergarments and considered visibly inappropriate.
Not school issued uniforms—not intended by the manufacturer to be a uniform.
Athletes wearing this or similar attire will NOT be permitted to compete. Athletes will be asked by officials to put on regular track uniform bottoms in order to compete.
These undergarments are, for all intents and purposes, considered underwear.

44. Scheduling Officials
All state series hosts must contract directly with an FHSAA Track & Field Officials Association Booking Commissioner to officiate State Series meets.
All officials working FHSAA State Series meets must be FHSAA- registered officials.
FHSAA State Series officials shall be paid according to the pay schedule in the Officials Guidebook.

45. Required Officials at State Series Meets
Minimum Requirements
District Meets
(1) Meet Referee
(1) Starter
Regional Meets
Field Event Judges (per event)
High Jump (1)
Pole Vault (1)
Long Jump and Triple Jump (1)
Shot Put (1)
Discus (1)
(1) Implement Weights & Measures

46. Become an Official
THE CHALLENGE of officiating can provide some great personal rewards. As an official you must make instantaneous decisions, resolve conflicts and deal with stress and pressure. You are in a position to be a positive role model around children and young adults. Sports officials must be able to bring control to chaos; understand fairness; promote safety and encourage good sportsmanship. A sports official must have the positive characteristics of a police officer, lawyer, judge, accountant, reporter, athlete and diplomat. If you are ready to start enjoying officiating, click here for the steps you must take.

47. FHSAA Official Awards Supplier
Crown Awards is the official awards supplier for all FHSAA State Series events.

48. Adapted Track & Field
All high school students with a permanent, physical disability may be eligible to participate on their school’s track and field team.
Each athlete’s physical eligibility must be verified by a licensed physician and maintained on permanent file at the school.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to help enrich a student- athlete’s life and your own as a coach.

49. Special Olympics Project UNIFY
What is Project UNIFY?
Project UNIFY is a sports and education program that partners students with and without intellectual disabilities to create a more inclusive school environment where students are able to work together, excel athletically and academically regardless of ability . Project UNIFY has three components:
1. Unified Sports
2. Inclusive Youth Leadership
3. Whole – School Engagement
Fosters respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities

50. Special Olympics Project UNIFY
Unified Sports
What is Unified Sports®? - Teammates with intellectual disabilities (Athletes) participate with teammates without intellectual disabilities (Partners) to practice and play together on Unified Sports teams. Team sports are about having fun, promoting physical health and bringing people together.
Unified Sports® Competitive Format - Teams are made up of players with a minimal difference in talent/ability between the best and the worst player. Games can be highly competitive.

51. Special Olympics Project UNIFY
Whole–School engagement
Fans In The Stands – Every athlete needs a fan to support them while they are competing in sports. Fans in the Stands is a great way to promote respect and advocacy for student- athletes (with and without intellectual disabilities) during Special Olympics sporting events.

52. DRINK GATORADE AND REPLACE THOSE ELECTROLYTES!
GATORADE IS THE OFFICIAL SPORTS DRINK OF THE FHSAA.